sacerdotalism

American  

[sas-er-doht-l-iz-uhm] / ˌsæs ərˈdoʊt lˌɪz əm /

noun

1. the system, spirit, or methods of the priesthood.

2. Usually Disparaging. priestcraft.

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sacerdotalism British  

/ ˌsæsəˈdəʊtəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. the principles, methods, etc, of the priesthood

2. the belief that ordained priests are endowed with sacramental and sacrificial powers

3. exaggerated respect for priests

4. derogatory power over people's opinions and actions achieved by priests through sophistry or guile

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Other Word Forms

• sacerdotalist
  noun

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Etymology

Origin of sacerdotalism

First recorded in 1840–50; sacerdotal + -ism

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sacerdotalism

His treatment of Holy Communion in these Sacraments, as well as in sundry other designs, is an instance of the way in which he pushed full far his sacerdotalism.

From Overbeck by J. Beavington Atkinson

Then he followed his sister with stern-set face and never a sign of emotion, stiffened by that priestly energy which throws the dignity of sacerdotalism like a veil over the agonies of the flesh.

From Abbe Mouret's Transgression by Émile Zola

The new liturgy still retained much of the leaven of sacerdotalism and sacramentarianism, but it was decidedly in advance of anything which could have been issued in the days of Henry VIII.

From John Knox by William M. (William Mackergo) Taylor

But the desire to repress the expression of opinions by force, which for so many centuries marked with blood and fire the power of mediæval sacerdotalism, is wholly alien to modern English nature.

From The Map of Life Conduct and Character by William Edward Hartpole Lecky

And his rule marks the epoch at which all that we regard as specially characteristic of mediæval Christianity--its ethics, its asceticism, its sacerdotalism, and its superstitions--had reached its lasting shape.

From The World's Greatest Books — Volume 12 — Modern History by Sir John Alexander Hammerton

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